Crack Down on Illegal Charter Operations to Keep Reef Fish Safe: More than $130,000 in Fines Assessed in Illegal Fishing Penalties

The 2024 Gulf of Mexico red snapper recreational federal for-hire season recently wrapped up after an 88-day open season. More than 3.3 million pounds of snapper were allocated for the charter sector, allowing many opportunities for the public to book a charter and bring home catch. Unfortunately, there remain some charter industry members who operated illegal charters, taking more of the resource away from legally operated businesses. NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement remains busy throughout the season as it cracks down on these illegal charters. Through enforcement efforts in 2024, NOAA's Office of General Counsel assessed more than $134,700 of penalties towards illegal charter operations across the Gulf of Mexico.

We are doing all we can to stop illegal characters from operating in federal waters, including outreach, patrols, and operations. We conducted outreach on our efforts by attending fishery management council meetings, fishing club meetings, and having dockside conversations with fishermen. Officers have also conducted patrols and operations targeting illegal charters.

Officers commonly work with U.S state and federal enforcement partners to conduct boardings near high traffic ports. "Our partnerships with our state and federal enforcement agencies are crucial to identifying and reducing illegal charters which impact legitimate federally permitted charter operations," said Manny Antonaras, Assistant Director of Office of Law Enforcement, Southeast Division. "We work with state and U.S. Coast Guard partners to detect and investigate these activities so NOAA can successfully prosecute these types of cases."

These targeted patrols occurred throughout the season on the west coast of Florida, off the coast of Mississippi and Alabama, Louisiana and federal waters off Texas. Many times, officers board legally operating charter vessels and encounter recreational vessels while on patrol for illegal operators. Officers provide guidance on using a fish descender or venting tool and answer any regulation questions anglers may have.

Illegal Charters this 2024 Season

Our presence on the water deters potential illegal charter operators. During vessel checks and boardings, we inspect a vessel operator's permits and catch. Each potential illegal charter case is unique and outcomes vary depending on the circumstances. For example, state officers boarded fishing vessel Conch Toooff of Key West, Florida. The captain was unable to provide a federal Gulf Charter Permit for Reef Fish to the officers. He admitted he was on a charter with clients. The owner and operator were issued a Notice of Violation and Assessment and paid $5,750 for fishing for Gulf reef fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone aboard a charter vessel without a federal charter permit. Texas Parks and Wildlife Division officers stopped another suspected charter vessel off of Corpus Christi, Texas. Officers determined it was operating as a charter in federal waters without the required permits and NOAA's General Counsel issued the owner a NOVA of nearly $22,000.

When a suspected illegal charter operator is issued a NOVA, he or she is provided multiple avenues to ensure their side of the story is heard. If you are issued a NOVA, you may:

• Request notice to provide additional facts that affect your case
• Request a hearing before an administrative law judge
• Request additional time to pay the penalty
• Take no action and admit fault

In another case, two outfitters from the west coast of Florida were charged with operating as a charter in federal waters without the required permits. They did not contest the charges. One company, Bottoms Up Fishing Excursions LLC, paid a $19,460 NOVA for operating as a charter in federal waters without the required permits. Another Florida-based unpermitted charter captain, Charles Bentley, did not contest the charges and was issued a NOVA of $20,185.

Do Your Part When You Book a Trip

You can avoid unintentionally booking an illegal charter by doing a little research and asking a few questions. Do due diligence on what an average charter costs for half day and full day in your desired area. Be leery of reduced trips advertised online-they are cheap for a reason!

• Does the captain/owner hold a valid captain's license?
• Do they possess the required permits to fish in federal waters? If they don't tell you, ask!
• Do they have a safety plan? If so, request to see the safety equipment on board.
• Are you expected to pay for an individual fishing incense, in addition to the charter booking? Some states require this, but not all.

NOAA uses all available resources to prosecute unpermitted charter operators who are causing an unfair advantage to legal operators, and to conserve the Gulf's reef fish population.

Help Us Help You

We welcome tips and information from anyone about unpermitted charter operations in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic region. On a case-by-case basis, we may issue rewards to individuals who provide information concerning unpermitted moratorium charter activity that leads to a successful prosecution.

You can call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (800) 853-1964. Information may also be left anonymously.

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